Diffusion-weighted imaging in differentiating mid-course responders to chemotherapy for long-bone osteosarcoma compared to the histologic response: an update.

BACKGROUND: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been described to correlate with tumoural necrosis in response to preoperative chemotherapy for osteosarcoma. OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of DWI in evaluating the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy at the mid-course treatment of long-bone osteosarcoma and in predicting survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective single-centre study over a continuous period of 11 years. Consecutive patients younger than 20 years treated with a neoadjuvant regimen for peripheral conventional osteosarcoma were eligible for inclusion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with DWI was performed at diagnosis, and mid- and end-course chemotherapy with mean apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) calculated at each time point. A percentage less than or equal to 10% of the viable residual tissue at the histological analysis of the surgical specimen was defined as a good responder to chemotherapy. Survival comparisons were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Uni- and multivariate analyses with ADC change were performed by Cox modelling. This is an expansion and update of our previous work. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients between the ages of 4.8 and 19.6 years were included, of whom 14 were good responders. At mid-course chemotherapy, good responders had significantly higher mean ADC values (P=0.046) and a higher increase in ADC (P=0.015) than poor responders. The ADC change from diagnosis to mid-course MRI did not appear to be a prognosticator of survival and did not impact survival rates of both groups. CONCLUSION: DWI at mid-course preoperative chemotherapy for osteosarcoma should be considered to evaluate the degree of histological necrosis and to predict survival. The anticipation of a response to neoadjuvant treatment by DWI may have potential implications on preoperative management.

Can diffusion weighting replace gadolinium enhancement in magnetic resonance enterography for inflammatory bowel disease in children?

BACKGROUND: Contrast-enhanced MRI is often used for diagnosis and follow-up of children with inflammatory bowel disease. OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) to contrast-enhanced MRI in children with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective, consecutive study included 55 children. We used ileo-colonoscopy and histology as the reference standard from the terminal ileum to the rectum, and contrast-enhanced MRI as the reference standard proximal to the terminal ileum. DWI and contrast-enhanced MRI sequences were independently reviewed and compared per patient and per segment to these reference standards and to the follow-up for each child. RESULTS: We obtained endoscopic data for 340/385 colonic and ileal segments (88%). The rate of agreement per segment between DWI and endoscopy was 64%, and the rate of agreement between contrast-enhanced MRI and endoscopy was 59%. Per patient, sensitivity and specificity of bowel wall abnormalities as compared to the endoscopy were 87% and 100% for DWI, and 70% and 100% for contrast-enhanced MRI, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were, respectively, 100% and 57% for DWI, and 96% and 41% for contrast-enhanced MRI. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of DWI compare to contrast-enhanced MRI in the segments proximal to the terminal ileum were 90%, 98%, 90%, 98% and 96%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic performance of DWI is competitive to that of contrast-enhanced MRI in children with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease.

Laparoscopic cystojejunostomy for type I cystic biliary atresia in children.

PURPOSE: The use of laparoscopy in the treatment of biliary atresia (BA) is still debated. We report our strategy using laparoscopy in type I cystic BA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of patients treated for BA from 2002-2013. When the diagnosis was suspected, an ultrasound was performed. If it showed a cyst > 5 mm in the hilum with no patent gallbladder, we performed an initial explorative laparoscopy. In the case of a patent biliary tree above the cyst, a laparoscopic cystojejunostomy was performed. In cases of absent communication (type III), conversion and portoenterostomy were performed. Pre and postoperative data and overall survival rate with the native liver were reviewed. RESULTS: Forty-four children were treated for BA. Six presented with a cystic form diagnosed by US. Three children had type I BA; three had type III BA. No postoperative complications were noted. Median follow-up was 62.2 months (22.7-93.5). One patient died of a cardiac malformation. The five remaining patients are alive with their native liver. Of the 38 treated for noncystic BA, 16 were transplanted. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the prognosis of cystic BA, which is less severe than noncystic BA. Our strategy using laparoscopy allowed for the confirmation and qualification of the type of BA. In type I, complete treatment by laparoscopy has been performed safely.

Safety, tolerability and potential efficacy of injection of autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction in the fingers of patients with systemic sclerosis: an open-label phase I trial.

BACKGROUND: In patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc), impaired hand function greatly contributes to disability and reduced quality of life, and is insufficiently relieved by currently available therapies. Adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is increasingly recognised as an easily accessible source of regenerative cells with therapeutic potential in ischaemic or autoimmune diseases. We aimed to measure for the first time the safety, tolerability and potential efficacy of autologous SVF cells local injections in patients with SSc with hand disability. METHODS: We did an open-label, single arm, at one study site with 6-month follow-up among 12 female SSc patients with Cochin Hand Function Scale score >20/90. Autologous SVF was obtained from lipoaspirates, using an automated processing system, and subsequently injected into the subcutaneous tissue of each finger in contact with neurovascular pedicles. Primary outcome was the number and the severity of adverse events related to SVF-based therapy. Secondary endpoints were changes in hand disability and fibrosis, vascular manifestations, pain and quality of life from baseline to 2 and 6 months after cell therapy. FINDINGS: All enrolled patients had surgery, and there were no dropouts or patients lost to follow-up. No severe adverse events occurred during the procedure and follow-up. Four minor adverse events were reported and resolved spontaneously. A significant improvement in hand disability and pain, Raynaud's phenomenon, finger oedema and quality of life was observed. INTERPRETATION: This study outlines the safety of the autologous SVF cells injection in the hands of patients with SSc. Preliminary assessments at 6 months suggest potential efficacy needing confirmation in a randomised placebo-controlled trial on a larger population. FUNDING: GFRS (Groupe Francophone de Recherche sur la Sclérodermie). CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER: NCT01813279.